The Price of His Little Snake

I tailed Julian's car to a private winery owned by the family, then pulled my own car into the shadows to park.

Fortunately, the guards on duty recognized my vehicle. They simply nodded respectfully and let me pass without a word.

I stayed in the car, watching through the windshield.

The moment Julian stepped out, Seraphina rushed from the winery. She was wearing a ridiculously short skirt and coiled herself around him like a viper, pressing her body against his.

"Darling, that whole flower display made me so jealous."

Julian patted her back, his voice indulgent. "Didn't I give you a fireworks show for your birthday last week? Wasn't that enough, my little snake?"

"Just be a good girl and make sure Eva doesn't find out about us. You'll get everything she has, and more."

My chest tightened until I could barely breathe. The extravagant fireworks display from a few days ago flashed in my mind.

That night, Julian had told me he needed to fly to New York to "handle" a provocation from a rival family. He was gone all night.

I'd been sick with worry, staying up and even pouring his favorite whiskey, waiting for him to come home safe.

Now I understood. "Handling a rival family" meant sleeping with my sister.

Seraphina let out a flirtatious laugh, her fingers tracing slow circles on his chest, beneath his shirt. "So, I'm not even allowed to be jealous now, am I, Don? Fine. What's a girl to do?"

"You're all mine tonight. And I have a special show just for you."

She leaned in and whispered something in his ear. His eyes darkened with raw want.

There, under the moonlight, Julian swept her into his arms and strode toward the small cabin on the property. The same cabin where we'd shared our first kiss six years ago. Just before his mouth crushed down on hers, she let out a soft, sensual moan.

I stayed in the car, watching until they disappeared inside.

In that instant, our six-year marriage crumbled into dust. I thought I was numb, but hot tears streamed down my face.

When we first married, Julian had promised we would spend every anniversary together, no matter what. Now, one call from Seraphina was all it took for him to abandon me and our vows.

I had lost. Utterly. I took a long, shuddering breath, forcing the pain down.

I just had to survive for three more days. Then, I would be free.

It was three in the morning when I returned to the estate. I walked straight past the master bedroom and into my art studio, locking the door behind me.

Around 3:30 AM, I heard Julian storming down the hall, shouting my name, his voice growing more frantic with each call.

"Eva? Eva! Dammit, where is she? I pay you to watch one person, and you lose her?"

The butler, Francesco, answered in a trembling voice, "Don, the Donna's car isn't in the driveway. She might have gone out."

"Find her! I don't care what it takes. Turn Chicago upside down if you have to!"

His footsteps grew closer. I switched off the light, curled up on the sofa, and let my eyes flutter shut, feigning the grogginess of someone just woken by the commotion.

The door was thrown open with a bang.

The moment Julian saw me, his fury melted into relief. "Oh, thank God. Eva, you scared me to death. I was going crazy looking for you."

He rushed over and pulled me into a tight embrace. I could feel his heart hammering against my chest.

I patted his back gently. "What's wrong?"

Julian kissed the top of my head, his voice still laced with fear. "Nothing. I just… I couldn't find you, and I panicked. Why aren't you in our room?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I came to the studio hoping for some inspiration."

The lie came out effortlessly. I was getting good at them.

A flicker of relief crossed Julian's face. "Don't do that again. I can't stand not knowing where you are. You know I'd do anything for you."

If he really believed that, he never would have been with Seraphina in the first place.

I closed my eyes, a silent sneer on my lips, my resolve hardening into steel.

The next morning, I prepared a small, exquisite gift box. Inside, I placed my wedding ring, the positive pregnancy test, and the property division agreement I had signed in the dead of night.

I closed the lid, tied the ribbon, and handed it to Julian. "Julian, this is my anniversary gift for you."

He took the box, a little surprised. "Can I open it now?"

"Not yet. Wait two days. It'll mean more then."

He nodded, carefully placing the box in his safe. "Whatever you got me, I'll love it."

Good. That was exactly what I wanted him to think.

In two days, I would be gone. By then, that "gift" would tell him everything.

Just as he finished speaking, the doorbell rang.

He opened the door to find Seraphina standing on the step, her face streaked with tears, looking utterly pitiful.